Recent Ceres High grads Chris Lubinsky (pictured), Marcellus Boykins and Conner Johnson have been selected to participate in the 32nd Annual North-South Rotary All-Star Football Game this Saturday ...

Central Valley's and Ceres High's varsity football programs each had three players selected to participate in the 32nd Annual North-South Rotary All-Star Game this Saturday in Merced.

Recent grads Erik Mejia, Oso Fregoso and Gabriel Quezada of Central Valley, and Chris Lubinsky, Marcellus Boykins and Conner Johnson of Ceres High will suit up for the North team.

"We all play football because it's one of our passions," Fregoso said. "They work just as hard as we do. They're all talented. It should be a fun experience for us to be able to bond and become better friends."

"I know those guys," Lubinsky said. "I like them as people. They're also good players."

"Now that we're not rivals, we're going to play for each other," Quezada said. "They're going to help us on the offensive side. We'll do the defensive work. It's a great opportunity to team up and represent our city."

Fregoso, Quezada and Mejia starred on the defensive line as seniors while leading Central Valley to its first conference title this past fall.

The Hawks compiled a perfect 5-0 record in Western Athletic Conference play.

Central Valley had the top defense in the WAC as it surrendered just 41 points.

Mejia was voted Most Valuable Player of the WAC.

He also earned first-team all-conference honors for his dominance at left tackle on offense and right tackle on defense.

Erik tallied 18 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Fregoso was named the WAC's Outstanding Defensive Player.

He garnered first-team all-league recognition as well.

Fregoso had 31 tackles, including nine for a loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, two pass deflections and one fumble recovery at defensive end.

Quezada won the WAC's Outstanding Defensive Lineman award. He ranked second in conference play in sacks (6). Gabriel also had 19 tackles, two pass deflections and one fumble recovery at defensive end.

"It will be nice to have them on our side," said Lubinsky, who got sacked five times and threw four interceptions during the Bulldogs' 51-10 loss to the Hawks in November. "They're darn good players."

"It was really fun beating him up," Quezada said. "That was our goal for the game. Now that we're on the same team, we're going to beat up guys for him. He's a phenomenal quarterback. He's definitely going to help the offense."